The first detailed images of what the new £400m Westgate development will look like when built can be revealed today. A vision drawn up by the Westgate Alliance illustrates for the first time the transformation that the group is aiming to achieve in the city. Now, having secured an agreement with leading department store John Lewis, the Westgate Alliance has begun the process of recruiting top international brands and retailers to occupy the new development.

The most significant change is that offices (Use Class B1(a)) are permitted to change to residential purposes (Use Class C3) without the need for planning permission so long as there is no material physical change to external appearances of the property.

Following the long hot summer of 2013 it seems it is not just the meteorological climate that has improved. Upbeat economic data now appears to be reflected in the Oxfordshire commercial property market.

VSL & Partners has just completed the acquisition of a 4.5 acre factory site on Old Station Way, Eynsham on behalf of Polar Venture Management (PVM). This represents the largest commercial property transaction completed in West Oxfordshire this year.

VSL & Partners celebrate a decade in business serving the Oxfordshire commercial property market and has been recognised once again by The Estates Gazette online service - EGi in its annual competition for the country’s Most Active Agent.

Oxfordshire’s leading commercial property consultants, VSL & Partners, has taken decisive action to avoid a tenant revolt at Lower Farm Barns near Bicester by uniting a landlord with tenants to significantly increase internet speed, answering the ever increasing business demands for better connectivity.

HI-TECH firms have the potential to add an extra £1bn to the Oxfordshire economy int he next 10 years. That is the conclusion of a major report into the potential of the service and technology sector in the county being launched today by Science Minister David Willetts at the Said Business School, Oxford. But that will not be achieved unless the road and rail infrastructure is improved, more space is provided for growing and start up businesses and more houses are built for workers, the study alleges.